Gathings will assume the role on July 1. As the vice president for student affairs, he will be responsible for the overall success of the university’s student affairs programs, fostering an environment of inclusiveness and support for the university’s student body. He will be tasked with managing all programs and personnel in student affairs, including the university’s counseling center, health services, student conduct, Student Government Association, Military and Veterans Affairs, and disability services.
Ormiston said he is looking forward to Gathings’ many contributions. “He brings distinct perspective and valuable experience to the position of vice president for student affairs,” Ormiston said.
Gathings said his 15-year career in higher education has primed him for this position at Marshall.
“All of my experience in various aspects of student affairs have led me to serve Marshall University as the vice president for student affairs,” said Gathings. “I look forward to being an active listener in the conversations among students and the administration.
“One of my priorities will be establishing a sense of unity even greater than Marshall has today.”
Gathings’ career in higher education began in 2001. Prior to his most recent role at Mississippi State University, he served that university as associate director for fraternity and sorority life for two years and as assistant director for national Pan-Hellenic Council and the school’s center for student involvement for three years.
Gathings has a master’s degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in science from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Southeast Greek Leadership Summit Outstanding Adviser Award and the Mississippi State University Staff Diversity Award in 2012.
He has served as a member of the adjunct faculty of Holmes Community College’s Department of Social/Behavioral Sciences and of East Mississippi Community College’s Department of Social Sciences. In addition, he is affiliated with The National LGBTQ Task Force’s National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change and is a member of the National Association for Student Personnel Administrators.
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Photo: Cedric Gathings has been named Marshall University’s vice president for student affairs